Optical patch panel device

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of patch panel devices are enclosed. In some embodiments, signals received are in an electrical or optical form and converted to the other form. The converted signal is provided as an output signal. A version of the original input may also be provided as an input. A signal injector can inject a optical or electrical signal that is selectively injected into the output signals. Various embodiments also include sensor to detecting the connecting of an electrical or optical line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/603,686, filed Oct. 22, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. PatentApplication No. 61/107,497, filed Oct. 22, 2008. The entire contents ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/603,686 and U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 61/107,497 are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of electrical and opticalnetworking, and more particularly to the conversion, injection, andmonitoring of electrical and optical signals.

BACKGROUND

The concept of using a patch port device for injecting and monitoring anelectrical signal is well known. A patch port device is typically apassive symmetrical device, providing for an input port, an output port,a monitoring port, and an injection port. In the normal mode ofoperation, the patch port device simply allows for an input electricalsignal to be passed through as an output electrical signal. However,there may occasionally be the need to inject another electrical signalas the output electrical signal or to monitor the input electricalsignal. When an electrical cable is plugged into the monitoring port ofthe patch port device for monitoring the input electrical signal, thepresence of the electrical cable at the monitoring port is physicallydetected so that the input electrical signal is no longer passed throughas an output electrical signal. Instead, the input electrical signal issent out to the electrical cable plugged in the monitoring port,controlled by a switch activated by the physical detection. Similarly,when an electrical cable is plugged into the injection port of the patchport device for injecting another electrical signal as the outputelectrical signal, the presence of the electrical cable at the injectionport is physically detected so that the input electrical signal is nolonger passed through as an output electrical signal. Instead, theinjected signal coming from the electrical cable plugged in theinjection port is sent out as the output electrical signal, controlledby a switch activated by the physical detection.

Prior networks relied on electrical lines to transmit information.However, fiber optic lines of newer systems are capable of much higherrates of transmission. As the use of optical networks becomes moreprevalent, there is a need for an alternative to the patch port devicedescribed above that can provide for injection and monitoring of opticalsignals, as well as existing electrical signals, in addition to beingable to provide for conversion between optical and electrical signals.

SUMMARY

The invention provides in one aspect an optical patch panel devicecomprising: an optical input port for receiving an input optical signal;an electrical output port for transmitting an output electrical signal;an optical-to-electrical converter for generating the output electricalsignal in response to the input optical signal; a signal monitor formonitoring at least one of the input optical signal or the outputelectrical signal; a signal injector having an active and an inactivemode; wherein, when the a signal injector is in its active mode: thesignal injector is operative to allow injection of an injected opticalsignal or an injected electrical signal; the output electrical signalcorresponds to the injected signal; if the injected signal is an opticalsignal, the converter is adapted to generate the output electricalsignal corresponding to the injected signal; if the injected signal isan electrical signal, the converter is inoperative (or alternativelyswitched out of the circuit); and wherein, when the signal injector isin its inactive mode, then the converter generates the output electricalsignal corresponding to the input optical signal.

The invention provides in another aspect an optical patch panel devicecomprising: an electrical input port for receiving an input electricalsignal; an optical output port for transmitting an output opticalsignal; an electrical-to-optical converter for generating the outputoptical signal in response to the input electrical signal; a signalmonitor for monitoring at least one of the input electrical signal orthe output optical signal; a signal injector having an active and aninactive mode; wherein, when the signal injector is in its active mode:the signal injector is operative to allow injection of an injectedoptical signal or an injected electrical signal; the output opticalsignal corresponds to the injected signal; if the injected signal is anelectrical signal, the converter is adapted to generate the outputoptical signal corresponding to the injected signal; if the injectedsignal is an optical signal, the converter is inoperative (oralternatively switched out of the circuit); and wherein, when the signalinjector is in its inactive mode, then the converter generates theoutput optical signal corresponding to the input electrical signal.

The invention further provides in another aspect the signal injector iscontrolled by a sensor that senses the connection of at least one of asecond optical signal or a second electrical signal, wherein the sensormay be comprise: a) a light emitter and a light sensor, b) twocapacitance plates, c) a micro-switch and a button, and d) amicro-switch and one or more switch arms.

In some embodiments, the optical patch panel device may behot-swappable.

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show moreclearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made,by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show some examplesof the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example implementation of a switchingsystem using an optical-to-electrical patch panel device and anelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the optical-to-electricalpatch panel device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of the electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example implementation of anincoming cable and a cable receptacle of either theoptical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a sensorincluding a light emitter and a light sensor;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example implementation of anincoming cable and a cable receptacle of either theoptical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a sensorincluding capacitance plates;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional diagram of an example implementation of anincoming cable and a cable receptacle of either theoptical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a sensorincluding a micro-switch;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional diagram of an example implementation of anincoming cable and a cable receptacle of either theoptical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3 having a sensorhaving a micro-switch; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the physical implementation of eitherthe optical-to-electrical patch panel device of FIG. 2 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device of FIG. 3;

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 showing an example implementation of aswitching system 100 using an optical-to-electrical patch panel device110 and an electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 of the presentinvention. Switching system 100 is adapted for receiving an input-sideincoming optical signal 105 and transmitting output-side outgoingoptical signal 135. Input-side incoming optical signal 105 andoutput-side outgoing optical signal 135 may be any type of opticalsignal carrying any content.

In the normal mode of operation, on the input-side of switch 120, aninput-side incoming optical signal 105 is received by anoptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 and transmitted as aninput-side outgoing electrical signal 115. The input-side outgoingelectrical signal 115 is then passed through switch 120 and transmittedas an output-side incoming electrical signal 125. The output-sideincoming electrical signal 125 is received by an electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 and transmitted as an output-side outgoingelectrical signal 135. Additionally, the output-side outgoing opticalsignal 135 may then be passed through a distribution amplifier 140,generating distributed output optical signals 145 for furthertransmission.

Switch 120 is capable of forming a connection between any input and anyoutput, and preferably, should form a plurality of simultaneousconnections. Where a connection is formed, the desired input signal isconveyed to the desired output signal. It should be noted that althoughin the example implementation of switching system 100, switch 120 is anelectrical switch, switch 120 may be any kind of switch depending on thetype of input and output signals it receives. For example, switch 120may be an optical switch if it receives an optical signal fromelectrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 and generates an opticalsignal for optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2 illustrating optical-to-electricalpatch panel device 110 for use in switching system 100.Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 is adapted to provide asignal converter, as well as signal injection and signal monitoring. Itshould be noted that optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 doesnot necessarily have to be on the input-side of switch 120, rather,optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 may be any patch paneldevice adapted for optical-to-electrical signal conversion in aswitching system.

Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 has input-side incomingoptical signal port 282 for receiving input-side incoming optical signal105 and input-side outgoing electrical signal port 280 for transmittinginput-side outgoing electrical signal 115.

Optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 may additionally includeports for injecting either an electrical inject signal or an opticalinject signal. Similarly, optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110may additionally include ports for monitoring either an electricalmonitor signal or an optical monitor signal. For example,optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 may have at least one ofinput-side optical inject signal port 288 for receiving input-sideoptical inject signal 245, input-side optical monitor signal port 286for transmitting input-side optical monitor signal 250, input-sideelectrical inject signal port 285 for receiving input-side electricalinject signal 255, and input-side electrical monitor signal port 284 fortransmitting input-side electrical monitor signal 260.

In the normal mode of operation, input-side incoming optical signal 105is received at input-side optical signal port 282 foroptical-to-electrical conversion through optical-to-electrical patchpanel device 110 and transmitted as input-side outgoing electricalsignal 115 at input-side outgoing electrical signal port 280.Specifically, input-side incoming optical signal 105 is received atinput-side incoming optical signal port 282 of optical-to-electricalpatch panel device 110, transmitted through switch 210, furthertransmitted through splitter 215, further transmitted throughoptical-to-electrical signal converter 220, further transmitted throughswitch 225, and further transmitted to splitter 230, before beingtransmitted out of optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 throughinput-side outgoing electrical signal port 280 as input-side outgoingelectrical signal 115.

Occasionally, there may be the need to inject an alternate electricalsignal or an alternate optical signal and have it transmitted asinput-side outgoing electrical signal 115, instead of having input-sideincoming optical signal 105 pass through as input-side outgoingelectrical signal 115. Where input-side optical inject signal 245 isreceived at input-side optical inject signal port 288, a sensor 270detects either the presence of input-side optical inject signal 245 or aconnection at input-side optical inject signal port 288 and controlsswitch 210 so that the input-side optical inject signal 245 istransmitted through splitter 215, instead of input-side incoming opticalsignal 105, for optical-to-electrical conversion. Similarly, whereinput-side electrical inject signal 255 is received at input-sideelectrical inject signal port 285, a sensor 265 detects either thepresence of input-side electrical inject signal 255 or a connection atinput-side electrical inject signal port 285 and controls switch 225 sothat the input-side electrical inject signal 255 is transmitted throughto splitter 230 instead of the converted input-side incoming opticalsignal received from optical-to-electrical converter 220.

It should be noted that switches 210 and 225 may be an optical switch oran electrical switch, respectively. Alternatively, switch 210 may be acombiner for combining input-side incoming optical signal 105 to befurther transmitted to splitter 215, such that when sensor 270 detectsthe presence of input-side optical inject signal 245 or a connection atinput-side optical inject signal port 288, the combiner is disabled, andinstead, input-side optical inject signal 245 is combined to be furthertransmitted to splitter 215. Similarly, switch 225 may be a combiner forcombining converted input-side incoming optical signal fromoptical-to-electrical converter 220 to be further transmitted tosplitter 230, such that when sensor 265 detects the presence ofinput-side electrical inject signal 255 or a connection at input-sideelectrical inject signal port 285, the combiner is disabled, andinstead, input-side electrical inject signal 255 is combined to befurther transmitted to splitter 230.

In some other embodiments, switch 210 may be replaced with a passivecombiner that couples an incoming optical signal 105 or optical injectsignal 245 to the splitter 215. A passive combiner will couple either orboth of the signals 105, 245 when they are present. This would allow anoperator of the device to couple one or more of signals 105, 245 to thedevice 110 such that either or both signals are coupled passively by thecombiner to splitter 215, without requiring a sensor to detect thepresence of the signals or cables carrying the signals.

Returning to a description of the example device 110, sensors 265 and270 may be any type of sensing devices, whether physical, mechanical,electrical, or optical, that are capable of detecting the connection ofan input-side optical inject signal 245 at input-side optical injectsignal port 288 or the connection of an input-side electrical injectsignal 255 at input-side electrical inject signal port 285.

Occasionally, there may also be the need to monitor the input-sideincoming optical signal 105. In addition to transmitting input-sideincoming optical signal through to optical-to-electrical signalconverter 220, splitter 215 may transmit input-side incoming opticalsignal as input-side optical monitor signal 250 through input-sideoptical monitor signal port 286. Similarly, in addition to transmittingconverted input-side incoming optical signal as input-side outgoingelectrical signal 115, splitter 230 may transmit converted input-sideincoming optical signal as input-side electrical monitor signal 260through input-side electrical monitor signal port 284.

Reference is next made to FIG. 3 illustrating electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 for use in switching system 100.Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 is adapted to provide asignal converter, as well as signal injection and signal monitoring. Itshould be noted that electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 doesnot necessarily have to be on the output-side of switch 120, rather,electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be any patch paneldevice adapted for electrical-to-optical signal conversion in aswitching system.

Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 has output-side incomingelectrical signal port 380 for receiving output-side incoming electricalsignal 125 and output-side outgoing optical signal port 382 fortransmitting output-side outgoing optical signal 135.

Electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may additionally includeports for injecting either an electrical inject signal or an opticalinject signal. Similarly, electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130may additionally include ports for monitoring either an electricalmonitor signal or an optical monitor signal. For example,electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may have at least one ofoutput-side optical monitor signal port 388 for transmitting output-sideoptical monitor signal 360, output-side optical inject signal port 386for receiving output-side optical inject signal 355, output-sideelectrical monitor signal port 385 for transmitting output-sideelectrical monitor signal 345, and output-side electrical inject signalport 384 for receiving output-side electrical inject signal 340.

In the normal mode of operation, output-side incoming electrical signal125 is received at output-side electrical signal port 380 forelectrical-to-optical conversion through electrical-to-optical patchpanel device 130 and transmitted as output-side outgoing optical signal135 at output-side outgoing optical signal port 382. Specifically,output-side incoming electrical signal 125 is received at output-sideincoming electrical signal port 380 of electrical-to-optical patch paneldevice 130, transmitted through switch 310, further transmitted throughsplitter 315, further transmitted through electrical-to-optical signalconverter 320, further transmitted through switch 325, and furthertransmitted through splitter 330, before being transmitted out ofelectrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 through output-sideoutgoing optical signal port 382 as output-side outgoing optical signal135.

Occasionally, there may be the need to inject an alternate electricalsignal or an alternate optical signal and have it transmitted asoutput-side outgoing optical signal 135, instead of having output-sideincoming electrical signal 125 pass through as output-side outgoingoptical signal 135. Where output-side electrical inject signal 340 isreceived at output-side electrical inject signal port 384, a sensor 365detects either the presence of output-side electrical inject signal 340or a connection at output-side electrical inject signal port 384 andcontrols switch 310 so that the output-side electrical inject signal 340is transmitted through splitter 315 instead of output-side incomingelectrical signal 125. Similarly, where output-side optical injectsignal 355 is received at output-side optical inject signal port 386, asensor 370 detects the either the presence of output-side optical injectsignal 355 or a connection at output-side optical inject signal port 386and controls switch 325 so that the output-side optical inject signal355 is transmitted through to splitter 330 instead of the convertedoutput-side incoming electrical signal received fromelectrical-to-optical converter 320.

It should be noted that switches 310 and 325 may be an optical switch oran electrical switch, respectively. Alternatively, switch 310 may be acombiner for combining output-side incoming electrical signal 125 to befurther transmitted to splitter 315, such that when sensor 365 detectsthe presence of output-side electrical inject signal 340 or a connectionat output-side electrical inject signal port 384, the combiner isdisabled, and instead, output-side electrical inject signal 340 iscombined to be further transmitted to splitter 315. Similarly, switch325 may be a combiner for combining converted output-side incomingelectrical signal from electrical-to-optical converter 320 to be furthertransmitted to splitter 330, such that when sensor 370 detects thepresence of output-side optical inject signal 355 or a connection atoutput-side optical inject signal port 386, the combiner is disabled,and instead, output-side optical inject signal 355 is combined to befurther transmitted to splitter 330.

In some other embodiments, switch 310 may be replaced with a passivecombiner, as described above in relation to switch 210, that passivelycombines one or both of signals 125 and 340 and couples them to splitter315.

Sensors 365 and 370 may be any type of sensing devices, whetherphysical, mechanical, electrical, or optical, that are capable ofdetecting the connection of an output-side electrical inject signal 340at output-side electrical inject signal port 384 or the connection of anoutput-side optical inject signal 355 at output-side optical injectsignal port 386.

Occasionally, there may be the need to monitor the output-side incomingelectrical signal 125. In addition to transmitting output-side incomingelectrical signal through to electrical-to-optical signal converter 320,splitter 315 may transmit output-side incoming electrical signal asoutput-side electrical monitor signal 345 through output-side electricalmonitor signal port 385. Similarly, in addition to transmittingconverted output-side incoming electrical signal as output-side outgoingoptical signal 135, splitter 330 may transmit converted output-sideincoming electrical signal as output-side optical monitor signal 360through output-side optical monitor signal port 388.

Reference is next made to FIG. 4, showing cross-sectionally an incomingcable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject signal port of eitheroptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 having light emitter 435 and light sensor 440 assensors 265, 270, 365, or 370.

On optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110, cable receptacle 401would be representative of input-side electrical inject signal port 285or input-side optical inject signal port 288. Accordingly, incomingcable 402 would be transmitting input-side electrical inject signal 255or input-side optical inject signal 245.

On electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130, cable receptacle 401would be representative of output-side electrical inject signal port 385or output-side optical inject signal port 386. Accordingly, incomingcable 402 would be transmitting output-side electrical inject signal 340or output-side optical inject signal 355.

Cable receptacle 401 is comprised of cable receptacle housing 405, whichhouses cable receptacle fiber 415 for transmitting a signal. Cablereceptacle adapter 410 is attached to the end of cable receptaclehousing 405 for connection with incoming cable 402. Similarly, incomingcable 402 is comprised of cable housing 425, which houses cable fiber430 for transmitting a signal. Cable adapter 420 is attached to the endof cable housing 425 for connection with cable receptacle 401. Cablereceptacle adapter 410 of cable receptacle 401 is adapted to accommodatethe connection of cable adapter 420 of incoming cable 402 such that whenthe two parts are connected, cable receptacle fiber 415 is connected tocable fiber 430 allowing a signal from incoming cable 402 to betransmitted to cable receptacle 401.

In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410 has a lightemitter 435 and a light sensor 440 mounted on it. For example, lightemitter 435 and light sensor 440 may be mounted on either sides of wherecable fiber 430 of incoming cable 402 is to connect with cablereceptacle 401. Thus, when incoming cable 402 is not connected to cablereceptacle 401, the light sensor 440 detects the presence of lightgenerated by light emitter 435. However, when incoming cable 402 isconnected to cable receptacle 401, the light sensor 440 is not able todetect the presence of light generated by light emitter 435 because thelight generated is broken by the connection of cable fiber 430 to cablereceptacle fiber 415. Accordingly, using this beam-break mechanism, thesensor 265, 270, 365, or 370 of either optical-to-electrical patch paneldevice 110 or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may beimplemented.

Reference is next made to FIG. 5, showing cross-sectionally an incomingcable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject signal port of eitheroptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 having capacitance plates 505 and 510 as sensor265, 270, 365, or 370.

In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410 hascapacitance plates 505 and 510 mounted on it. For example, capacitanceplates 505 and 510 may be mounted on either sides of where cable fiber430 of incoming cable 402 is to connect with cable receptacle 401. Thus,when incoming cable 402 is not connected to cable receptacle 401,capacitance plates 505 and 510 maintain a certain charge between them.However, when incoming cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle 401(i.e. the connection of cable fiber 430 to cable receptacle fiber 415),the capacitance between capacitance plates 505 and 510 change.Accordingly, using this capacitance-based mechanism, the sensor 265,270, 365, or 370 of either optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may be implemented.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6A, showing cross-sectionally an incomingcable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject signal port of eitheroptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 having a button 610 and a micro-switch 605 as thesensor 265, 270, 365, or 370.

In the illustrated embodiment, cable receptacle adapter 410 has a button610 mounted on micro-switch 605. For example, button 610 andmicro-switch 605 may be mounted on either sides of where cable fiber 430of incoming cable 402 is to connect with cable receptacle 401.Micro-switch 605 is capable of detecting very small movements. Whenincoming cable 402 is not connected to cable receptacle 401, button 610is in a normal position and does not exert any pressure on micro-switch605. However, when incoming cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle401, button 610 is depressed by the head of cable adapter 420 so that itpushes micro-switch 605. Accordingly, using this micro-switch mechanismwith a button 610, the sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370 of eitheroptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 may be implemented.

Reference is next made to FIG. 6B, showing cross-sectionally an incomingcable 402 and a cable receptacle 401 of an inject signal port of eitheroptical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or electrical-to-opticalpatch panel device 130 having a pair of switch arms 620 and amicro-switch 615 as sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370.

In the illustrated embodiment, the switch arms 620 are mounted onmicro-switch 615. For example, switch arms 620 and micro-switch 615 maybe mounted on either sides of where cable fiber 430 of incoming cable402 is to connect with cable receptacle 401. In other embodiments onlyone switch arm may be provided. Micro-switch 615, as with micro-switch605 of FIG. 6A, is capable of detecting very small movements. Whenincoming cable 402 is not connected to cable receptacle 401, switch arms620 are in a normal position indented inwards (towards the center of thecable receptacle) and do not exert any pressure on micro-switch 615.However, when incoming cable 402 is connected to cable receptacle 401(i.e. the connection of cable fiber 430 to cable receptacle fiber 415),switch arms 620 are pushed outwards against micro-switch 615.Accordingly, using this micro-switch mechanism with switch arms 620,sensor 265, 270, 365, or 370 of either optical-to-electrical patch paneldevice 110 or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 may beimplemented.

Reference is next made to FIG. 7, showing the physical implementation ofeither the optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 or theelectrical-to-optical patch panel device 130. Optical-to-electricalpatch panel device 110 and electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130are implemented such that they are hot-swappable in operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, panel 750 is connected to an opticalsub-assembly 701 and an electrical sub-assembly 703. Opticalsub-assembly 701 is comprised of optical cable receptacle base 745connected to an optical cable receptacle 755 of optical cable 760.Electrical sub-assembly 703 is comprised of electrical cable receptaclebase 740 connected to an electrical cable receptacle 765 of electricalcable 770. Electrical cable receptacle base 740 is also connected viaelectrical contacts 730 to electrical cable receptacle 725. A printedcircuit board (PCB) 705 housing optical-to-electrical patch panel device110 or electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130 is comprised of atleast an optical fiber cable connector 710 and electrical cableconnector 716 having electrical contacts 715. PCB 705 may additionalcomprise of a notch 720 for easy attachment to panel 750 and removalfrom panel 750.

In the normal mode of operation, optical fiber cable connector 710 ofPCB 705 is connected to optical sub-assembly 701 of panel 750 whileelectrical cable connector 716 having electrical contacts 715 of PCB 705is connected to electrical sub-assembly 703 of panel 750. For example,in the optical-to-electrical patch panel device 110 of switching system100, optical cable 760 would receive input-side incoming optical signal105 while electrical cable 770 would transmit input-side outgoingelectrical signal 115. Similarly, in the electrical-to-optical patchpanel device 130 of switching system 100, electrical cable 770 wouldreceive output-side incoming electrical signal 125 while optical cable760 would transmit output-side outgoing optical signal 135.

However, where there is a failure of the optical-to-electrical patchpanel device 110 or of the electrical-to-optical patch panel device 130,PCB 705 can be easily removed from panel 750 for the installation of areplacement PCB carrying either an optical-to-electrical patch paneldevice or electrical-to-optical patch panel device.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

1. A patch panel device comprising: an optical signal port for receivingan incoming optical signal; an optical inject port for receiving anoptical inject signal, wherein the optical inject port has an activemode and an inactive mode; a first switch for selecting one or more ofthe input signals, wherein the switch is response to the mode of theoptical inject port; an electrical inject port for receiving anelectrical inject signal, wherein the electrical inject port has anactive mode and an inactive mode; a second switch for selecting thesignals selected by the first switch or the electrical inject signal orboth in response to the mode of the input-side electrical inject port;an electrical output port for transmitting an output electrical signalcorresponding to the signals selected by the second switch; and anoptical-to-electrical converter for generating a converted electricalsignal in corresponding to the one or more signals selected by the firstswitch; wherein, when the optical inject port is in its active mode, thefirst switch is operational to include the optical inject signal in thesignals selected by the first switch; wherein, when the optical injectport is in its inactive mode, the signals selected by the first switchinclude the incoming optical signal and do not include the opticalinject signal; wherein, when the electrical inject port is in its activemode, the second switch is operational to include the electrical injectsignal in the signals selected by the second switch; and wherein, whenthe electrical inject port is in its inactive mode, the signals selectedby the second switch include the one or more signals selected by thefirst switch and do not include the electrical inject signal.
 2. Theoptical patch panel device of claim 1, further comprising a signalmonitor for monitoring the one or more signals selected by the firstswitch.
 3. The optical patch panel device of claim 2, wherein the signalmonitor is comprised of a splitter for generating a monitoring signalcorresponding to the signals selected by the first switch.
 4. Theoptical patch panel device of claim 1, further comprising a signalmonitor for monitoring the one or more signals selected by the secondswitch.
 5. The optical patch panel device of claim 4, wherein the signalmonitor is comprised of a splitter for generating a monitoring signalcorresponding to the signals selected by the second switch.
 6. A patchpanel device comprising: an optical signal port for receiving anincoming optical signal; an optical inject port for receiving an opticalinject signal, wherein the optical inject port has an active mode and aninactive mode; a first switch for selecting one or more of the inputsignals, wherein the switch is response to the mode of the opticalinject port; an electrical output port for transmitting an outputelectrical signal corresponding to the signals selected by the firstswitch; and an optical-to-electrical converter for generating the outputelectrical signal corresponding to the one or more signals selected bythe first switch; wherein, when the optical inject port is in its activemode, the first switch is operational to include the optical injectsignal in the signals selected by the first switch; and wherein, whenthe optical inject port is in its inactive mode, the signals selected bythe first switch include the incoming optical signal and do not includethe optical inject signal.
 7. The optical patch panel device of claim 6,further comprising a signal monitor for monitoring the one or moresignals selected by the first switch.
 8. The optical patch panel deviceof claim 7, wherein the signal monitor is comprised of a splitter forgenerating a monitoring signal.
 9. A patch panel device comprising: anelectrical signal port for receiving an incoming electrical signal; anelectrical inject port for receiving an electrical inject signal,wherein the electrical inject port has an active mode and an inactivemode; a first switch for selecting one or more of the input signals,wherein the switch is response to the mode of the electrical injectport; an optical inject port for receiving an optical inject signal,wherein the optical inject port has an active mode and an inactive mode;a second switch for selecting the signals selected by the first switchor the optical inject signal or both in response to the mode of theinput-side optical inject port; an optical output port for transmittingan output optical signal corresponding to the signals selected by thesecond switch; and an electrical-to-optical converter for generating aconverted optical signal in corresponding to the one or more signalsselected by the first switch; wherein, when the electrical inject portis in its active mode, the first switch is operational to include theelectrical inject signal in the signals selected by the first switch;wherein, when the electrical inject port is in its inactive mode, thesignals selected by the first switch include the incoming electricalsignal and do not include the electrical inject signal; wherein, whenthe optical inject port is in its active mode, the second switch isoperational to include the optical inject signal in the signals selectedby the second switch; wherein, when the optical inject port is in itsinactive mode, the signals selected by the second switch include the oneor more signals selected by the first switch and do not include theoptical inject signal.
 10. The optical patch panel device of claim 9,further comprising a signal monitor for monitoring the one or moresignals selected by the first switch.
 11. The optical patch panel deviceof claim 10, wherein the signal monitor is comprised of a splitter forgenerating a monitoring signal corresponding to the signals selected bythe first switch.
 12. The optical patch panel device of claim 9, furthercomprising a signal monitor for monitoring the one or more signalsselected by the second switch.
 13. The optical patch panel device ofclaim 12, wherein the signal monitor is comprised of a splitter forgenerating a monitoring signal corresponding to the signals selected bythe second switch.
 14. A patch panel device comprising: an electricalsignal port for receiving an incoming electrical signal; an electricalinject port for receiving an electrical inject signal, wherein theelectrical inject port has an active mode and an inactive mode; a firstswitch for selecting one or more of the input signals, wherein theswitch is response to the mode of the electrical inject port; an opticaloutput port for transmitting an output optical signal corresponding tothe signals selected by the first switch; and an electrical-to-opticalconverter for generating the output optical signal corresponding to theone or more signals selected by the first switch; wherein, when theelectrical inject port is in its active mode, the first switch isoperational to include the electrical inject signal in the signalsselected by the first switch; and wherein, when the electrical injectport is in its inactive mode, the signals selected by the first switchinclude the incoming electrical signal and do not include the electricalinject signal.
 15. The optical patch panel device of claim 14, furthercomprising a signal monitor for monitoring at least one of the inputoptical signal or the output electrical signal.
 16. The optical patchpanel device of claim 15, wherein the signal monitor is comprised of asplitter for generating a monitoring signal.
 17. A method of operating apatch panel device, the method comprising: receiving an incoming opticalsignal; generating an electrical signal corresponding to the incomingoptical signal; sensing the presence of an optical inject signal; inresponse to sensing the presence of the optical inject signal,generating the electrical signal corresponding to the optical injectsignal; and providing an output electrical signal corresponding to theelectrical signal.
 18. The method of claim 17 further including: sensingthe presence of an electrical inject signal; in response to sensing thepresence of the electrical inject signal, generating the outputelectrical signal corresponding to the electrical inject signal.
 19. Amethod of operating a patch panel device, the method comprising:receiving an incoming electrical signal; generating an optical signalcorresponding to the incoming electrical signal; sensing the presence ofan electrical inject signal; in response to sensing the presence of theelectrical inject signal, generating the optical signal corresponding tothe electrical inject signal; and providing an output optical signalcorresponding to the optical signal.
 20. The method of claim 17 furtherincluding: sensing the presence of an optical inject signal; in responseto sensing the presence of the optical inject signal, generating theoutput optical signal corresponding to the optical inject signal.